I've always been a huge introvert. I prefer to do things alone and I love living in my own head. I have a few friends irl including my room mate. We have deep, meaningful conversations, we care about eachother and offer solutions to eachother's problems Anyway, the last time I was in the hospital the doctor refused to release me because I was staying in my room and not socializing enough. I tried to explain to him that I'm naturally an introvert and the people there were all acting loud and abrasive-that's not something I enjoy being around regardless of my mental state. But he still seemed convinced that I was isolating and as long as I kept to myself I wasn't well enough to leave. So I basically had to spend my last few days there in the dayroom enduring the chaos all the while I just wanted to go back to my room so I could think.

I've heard the word "isolation" used a lot as a sign of depression and tbh it really pisses me off because not everyone who enjoys being alone is depressed. I get it if the person is normally an extrovert but not everyone is. I actually think I'm quite the minority-people are shocked when I tell them that I'm happiest walking alone, in the rain(I also don't care for the sun but that's another story). It's like they don't believe me or think I'm trying to cover up that I'm depressed. So tired of the one size fits all mentality.

So do you think there's a difference?

PS I do socialize online, however it's not the same as rl...I can check out any time I want, don't have to hear people being loud in my ear and no one in my personal space. You get it.